The Council's viewpoint was supported by the conservative group, whose budget spokesman Lajos Bokros said the European Parliament would suffer a "humiliating defeat in negotiations" if it continued to pursue its proposed increase.

BBC: MEPs insist on above-inflation budget increase

In addition, and without implying they would necessarily agree with the views expressed here, the author would like to thank: Lajos Bokros, Robert Braun, Martin Bruncko, Robert Cooper, Pavol Demes, Jeremy Druker, Michel Foucher, Andrew Gardner, Heather Grabbe, Charles Grant, Istvan Gyarmati, David Kral, Mart Laar, Edward Lucas, Alina Mungiu-Pippidi, Jiri Pehe, Sandra Pralong, Olli Rehn, Gyorgy Schopflin, James Sherr, Pirkka Tapiola, Emma Udwin and Alexander Vondra.

ECONOMIST: Sources and acknowledgments